Description of Film:
A directorial debut from Sanaa Hamri, Something
New is a film about love, societal differences
and racial barriers that interracial couples
have to endure on a daily basis. Kenya McQueen
(Sanaa Lathan) is a workaholic whose main focus
is making partner at a prestigious accounting
firm. Brian (Simon Baker) is a landscape architect
who’s interested in the ever-so-difficult Kenya.
As the film begins, Kenya and her girl friends
are alone on Valentines Day. They are having
a conversation about how they are still single
and that over 40% of black women will never
marry. All of this comes to an end when Kenya
is set up on a blind date with Brian by her
coworkers. When she realizes that he is white,
Kenya immediately takes a step back. While Kenya
is determined to do everything in her power
to distance herself from Brian, they find each
other again when Brian is hired to landscape
Kenya’s backyard. As they spend more and more
time together discussing the landscapeing, Kenya
begins to enjoy Brian’s company. However, Kenya’s
family and some of her friends disapprove of
her dating a “white gardener.” Kenya also maintains
some concerns about dating a white man. Therefore,
she ends her romance with Brian, but soon realizes
that she was much happier with him in her life.
Despite their differences, Kenya is determined
to be with Brian. She is able to put their race
difference behind her and follow her heart.

Something New was directed by Sanaa Hamri and
is rated PG-13 for sexual references.

Why I Recommend This Film:
Something New is a romantic comedy that
humorously addresses the positive and negative
aspects of interracial relationships. The film
addresses the issue of race at every turn in
Something New. However, rather than merely presenting
the still-prevalent problem of racism, this
warm-hearted romantic comedy opts for providing
a solution. It is a very “cute”
and positive film that will leave its audience
saying “aw.”

Why This Film is Important:
A lot of films emphasize the comedic dimension
of “romantic comedy,” Something New is different.
Instead, it downplays the comedy and stresses
the characters’ relationship. This allows the
movie to present a more real and insightful
story than most films about interracial dating
present. Something New also addresses the “privilege”
that white men have in everyday life and the
struggle that black women go through to prove
their intelligence and dedication.

Favorite Quotation:
Brian: “Is this a wig” (touching
Kenya’s hair) “or can you take it off
or something?”